Isabel Helen Piczek

1927 - 2016

November 14, 1927 - September 29, 2016 Isabel Helen Piczek, world-renowned ecclesiastical and sacred artist, passed away peacefully in her home in Echo Park, California on September 29, 2016 at the age of 88. She was born in Hatvan, Hungary on November 14, 1927 to Zoltan and Elona Piczek. Her father Zoltan was a noted artist and art professor. Isabel graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Budapest and in addition to being a world class artist also became an internationally known Physicist, recognized for her study of the Shroud of Turin. Just after the end of World War II, Isabel and her sister fled the Communist regime in Hungary and escaped across the border into Austria. They continued on to Rome which would become their home for the next three years. Declining a scholarship to move to Paris, Isabel and her sister briefly lived in Canada before making the decision to come to America in 1956. They soon established their Studio, the Construction Art Center, in Echo Park close to downtown Los Angeles. It is here that Isabel continued to live and create art for over 50 years. In 1992, Isabel along with her sister Edith was honored by Pope John Paul II in recognition of her prolific artistic achievements and Cardinal Roger Mahony, Archbishop of Los Angeles, conferred on Piczek admission into the Pontifical Order of Saint Gregory and the title Dame of Saint Gregory, making her one of only 70 Knights and Dames throughout the world who hold this honor. Isabel's art and research has touched the lives of millions of people around the world. Her legacy lives on through her extraordinary work. Funeral Mass and celebration of life will be held on Thursday October 13, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at Mission San Fernando Rey -15151 San Fernando Mission Blvd, Mission Hills, CA 91345.